It's no surprise that a recent Mintel Global Food Trends report showed clearly that more and more shoppers are looking for full disclosure when it comes to their everyday purchases. I am Maria Abadilla, Founder of Orangutan Alliance, who have stepped up to assist the growing number of people looking to easily identify if the products they are about to purchase are palm oil free. The Orangutan Alliance is educating everyday shoppers about how conflict palm oil can sneak its way into the food supply chain and bring a cohesive voice to an often confusing environmental debate. So who are we exactly?Orangutan Alliance a not-for-profit consumer awareness and palm oil free certification group.ORANGUTAN ALLIANCE IS A GROUP OF BEAUTY AND FOOD INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEVASTATING EFFECT THAT CONFLICT PALM OIL IS HAVING ON THE IMPORTANT RAINFOREST HABITATS OF ORANGUTANS AND OTHER VULNERABLE SPECIES. PALM OIL IS USED IN MORE THAN HALF OF EVERYTHING WE BUY AT THE SUPERMARKET AND IN MANY COUNTRIES (INCLUDING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND) IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY PALM OIL ON THE INGREDIENT LABEL.It is more than the human rights abuses, deforestation and biodiversity loss linked to conflict palm oil that has Orangutan Alliance fired up. It is the confusing way it ends up in consumer products like chocolate and shampoo, the vague ingredient labeling, and the fact that a fully traceable supply that does not lead to deforestation is still not the norm.
The Orangutan Alliance founder and our food technology partners have been following the issues surrounding conflict palm oil for some time and we knew we had to assist with a solution that would empower others to do the same. And that is why we created the simple solution of clear product labels that would assist consumers when purchasing.Armed with the facts, shoppers could then send a clear message to manufacturers by choosing with their buy. A message to clean up supply chains, look for new solutions and prove they don’t use unregulated or conflict palm oil.
The Orangutan Alliance palm oil free certification program began in 2017 and is based on a thorough review of food and beauty products for palm oil usage.Once cleared, the products are authorised to carry the Orangutan Alliance Palm Oil Free Label and shoppers can easily recognise it at the supermarket. Because Orangutan Alliance is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, profits from the palm oil free certification program are used to fund awareness programs, conservation projects and orangutan rescue. The palm oil free certification has two key benefits for us shoppers:-
Not content with the empowering consumers to use their purchasing voice to demand ethically produced food and beauty products, Orangutan Alliance has been busy forging relationships and partnerships (well they are an alliance after all) to create an even bigger voice in the environmental community.Nutrition and health expert, Dr Joanna McMillan, award winning photographer Jayaprakash Bojan, and Roxy Rogan founder of Wild Education, only some of the Ambassadors on board with Orangutan Alliance inspiring schools, shoppers and communities to a create real and lasting impact simply with the choices they make at the supermarket.
Orangutan Alliance ask you to choose with your buy. Shop ethically and consume sustainably.
THERE IS ENOUGH IN THIS WORLD FOR EVERYONE. MORE THAN ENOUGH. WE DO NOT NEED TO PRODUCE AND CONSUME PRODUCTS THAT ARE HARMFUL TO AMAZING AND INNOCENT CREATURES LIKE ORANGUTANS. ARE YOU WILLING TO CHANGE YOUR PURCHASING HABITS? WE ALL CAN.
100% Palm Oil Free Food and Beauty Products
It’s easy to get started. Visit the Orangutan Alliance website for the growing list of 100% palm oil free food and beauty products they have already certified.
Supporting Orangutan Alliance is completely free. As a consumer awareness group and the best thing you can do is get educated about the global issue of conflict palm oil. The Orangutan Alliance regularly post updates to Facebook about the plight of orangutans as well as share inspiring stories of orangutan rescue and rainforest recovery. You can also stay informed by signing up to our newsletter or following us on Instagram.
Maria, I saw a comment about Palmers products having palm oil in them. Is this true? I can't see it on my label. Friday, 6 April 2018
If you do not want to eat any GM foods, only buy products that are certified Non GM. If you are faced with two products - one that makes no declaration and one that declares itself non GM, buy the non GM. Any company making an effort to be more sustainable will always tell you.